Oracle Rising, page 22
part #1 of The Phoenix Files Series
“Point taken, sir.”
Ethan hung up, still laughing.
Jagger suspected they were in trouble—and not the fun kind. In his experience, whenever the upper brass got involved in something, the shit always hit the fan.
ALWAYS.
As he was sitting there, he heard the front door open. Glancing over, he saw something that did his heart good. Avalon was laughing as Nate carried her into the cabin.
“Wow! Someone had a good time getting ice cream,” he stated.
“We did,” Avalon answered. “Nathaniel asked me to marry him.”
Jagger grinned, mouthing ‘good one’ to the man.
“Did he now? He’s a lucky man to have snagged Avalon Miller from the dating pool,” Jagger stated. “Here, I was going to ask you later when the old man went to bed. Darn it.”
She giggled.
He pointed at him.
“I know how lucky I am,” Nate said, “and since I’m in a damn good mood, I’m going to ignore what you just said until tomorrow, when you wake up bald.”
Jagger snorted.
Avalon was gently lowered to her feet. Once they were on the ground, she focused in the direction of the Marine. “Jagger, can I ask you something?”
He stood. “Sure thing, kiddo. What’s up?”
“When we get married, will you walk me down the aisle? It only seems fitting. I’ve put my life in your hands so many times, that I believe you’re part of my family.”
Nate watched the man’s face soften. He went from tough Marine to mushy male in under three seconds.
“I’d love to do that, Avalon. I got to walk my sister down the aisle just last month. It would be a pleasure to give you away.”
She moved toward him and did something he didn't expect. Avalon hugged him. She placed her arms around his waist and squeezed. “Thank you, Jagger. Thank you for all you did. I know you talked to Nathaniel about this. I love you,” she whispered so only he could hear.
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re more than welcome. You two should go celebrate. Just keep it down. I don’t want to come knock on the door when you wake me up.”
Avalon moved back toward her fiancé and giggled.
Nate grinned. “How did things go here? Did you get a hold of my sister?”
“Uh, about that.”
“What?”
“Blackhawk called.”
“Which one?” Nate asked. While both scared him stupid, one usually meant more trouble than the other. Mentally, he crossed his fingers.
“Ethan.”
“Oh, what did he want?” It was his lucky night. He avoided Elizabeth and his girl was going to marry him.
Jagger started laughing.
“What?” he asked.
It was hard to concentrate. Avalon was rubbing against his body, and he couldn’t wait to get her into their room. He had a little surprise for her. Their date was only just beginning.
“He wanted to check in but now he wants to profile our case.”
Nate stared at him. “Really? Wow.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a hot mess.”
Nate stared at him. “Wait, why would it?”
“The boss is putting his fingers into the pie. In my experience…”
He was shut down. “You don’t get it. If you need a profile, you pray its Ethan Blackhawk. The man can turn shit to gold in a case. Police agencies around the world contract him to do profiles.”
“Really?”
Nate laughed. “Yeah, really. He contracts himself out for private investigations. I’ve had him do a couple for me in the past. They are amazing.”
Jagger grinned. “Well, then you owe me. I got you Ethan Blackhawk.”
Nate and Avalon headed toward their room. He was laughing. “Yeah, you keep thinking that.”
Jagger kicked back on the couch to wait for Juliett to return from her date. He was pretty proud of himself. This Fed thing wasn’t as hard as it seemed. Then again, he’d been on two top secret teams.
This was a cake walk.
* * * O R A C L E * * *
Juliett had the most amazing time of her life.
Dinner with Sheriff Rhett Longfellow was perfect. The man stayed sitting beside her as they shared pizza and some laughter.
When he asked her personal questions about her job and life, she wasn’t afraid to answer them.
For the first time in her life, she was at ease with someone of the opposite sex.
He wasn’t anything like what he seemed at first. When she saw him grab Avalon outside her rental cabin, she was scared by his large size and larger than life personality. Now she realized that it was only him doing his job.
Off the clock, the real man was gentle, sweet, and kind.
When he said he was shy, she believed it. Juliett could see it in everything he did. When he’d blush, she found it endearing.
Plus, he was a true gentleman.
Whoever raised him from a boy to a man had done a damn good job. Rhett was amazing.
It didn't hurt that she was attracted to him. Juliett found herself watching everything he did. She couldn’t help it. There was something about him that offered her peace.
He was so calming, that she never wanted their date to end. In fact, it made her sad that it was getting late. Soon, he’d be dropping her off at her cabin.
“Well?” he asked.
Juliett glanced over. “Well what?”
“Did you enjoy the pizza? Was I right when I said it was the best you’d ever have?”
It was the best.
Only she couldn’t remember what it tasted like. She was too focused on him. The company had made the difference.
“It was really good.”
“I think it was all because of you,” he said, pulling into her driveway.
When she went to get out, he stopped her. His hand touched her arm, and it sent shivers down her spine. Those big hands would be amazing all over her body.
Now she blushed.
“Let me help you,” he said.
Her heart flipped.
Yes, this was a gentleman. They were few and far between in her life—hell—in the world.
As he opened the door to the passenger side of the truck, he offered her his hand. “Thank you for joining me. This was the best date I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
She wanted to leap at him. There was something so calming in his blue eyes. Even in the darkness of the night, she could see the gentleness there.
When she hopped down, Juliett stared up and into his eyes. It was a good thing she was as tall as she was, or they’d look silly together.
“I had a really good time. I’ve never had a date quite like this.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” he teased.
“It’s a very good thing,” Juliett admitted.
He held her hand as he walked her to the porch. “Here you go, ma’am. Safe and sound, just like I promised.”
Juliett moved onto the first step so they’d be face to face. She was wondering if he was going to kiss her. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like.
Would he be gentle?
Wild?
Filled with passion?
The anticipation was killing her.
“I guess this is goodnight,” he said, trying to figure out how to prolong the evening. He didn't want to leave, but he didn't want to treat her like she wasn’t a lady. Juliett Deveraux was special, and he knew it.
He could feel it inside.
“I guess it is.”
“Can I kiss you goodnight?” he asked. “Or would that be forward of me?”
Her heart swooned.
There was something to be said about good ol’ southern boys with manners. The sheriff had them.
“I think I’d like that.”
He grinned.
Leaning forward, he found her mouth with his. The second their lips touched, magic happened.
For her.
For him.
Life exploded around Juliett. Gently, she put her arms over his shoulder as the lip lock became something more than a goodnight kiss.
It was fueled by passion.
Need.
Heat.
They continued kissing, lips and tongues sliding effortlessly against each other. When his big hand found the back of her head, keeping her mouth locked against his, someone moaned.
It only added heat to the moment.
Rhett had never felt this before. It was something so new, staggering, and awe inspiring, and he didn't want it to stop.
But he knew otherwise.
He couldn’t keep it up. He already desperately wanted her from their simple dinner. The way she wept, smiled, and shared her pizza with him. This woman had drawn him in.
This couldn’t be goodnight.
He wanted so much more.
Rhett craved her.
Juliett couldn’t believe how amazing she felt. It was like she was as light as a feather and floating effortlessly off the ground. While trapped in his big arms, all the cares in the world drifted away.
Here, she was at peace.
Juliett found something that she had desperately been missing for so many years.
She found safety.
When his body tightened against hers, Juliett wanted to drag him into her room and see where it went.
Only, she knew she couldn’t. There was a cabin full of Feds. This wasn’t the right moment, but it would come.
She knew it.
For now, she had to let him go.
It wasn’t going to be easy.
Slowly, he began pulling away. He didn't want to, but he wasn’t going to maul a lady on her porch on the first date. He knew better. When her lips were finally free from his, Rhett stared into her eyes.
“Wow,” she said.
“Yeah, wow.”
“Please tell me that you’ll go out with me again, and kiss me like that some more,” he whispered.
God!
She wanted that in the worst way.
“Are you asking me on a second date?” Juliett inquired. “I’m just curious.”
He laughed. “I’m asking, and I’m more than curious. I’m incredibly intrigued.”
Juliett took a chance.
Gently, she ran her fingers over his cheek and to the dent in his chin. “I’ve wanted to do that all night,” she admitted.
“Well, I wanted to kiss you all night. I guess we both got lucky.”
She smiled when he blushed again.
Yeah, he was way beyond sweet.
Juliett could see herself falling in love with him. Rhett had a good heart.
“Can I see you tomorrow morning?” he asked.
Juliett grinned. “If you come by, I think maybe we can have coffee. Does that count as a date?”
“It does, ma’am.”
They didn't move. She was still in his arms, and Juliett could feel his heart pounding beneath her hand on his chest. She was sure he could feel hers.
“I should go.”
“Really, you shouldn’t,” he stated, “but I know that I have to let you go—even if I don’t want to.”
Juliett still didn't want him to leave.
“Maybe I can make you dinner at my place next time?” he offered. “Your place is crowded.”
Then he realized how that sounded.
“Wait, I didn't mean…I wasn’t trying to lure you…oh, shit!”
She laughed. When the sexy flush creeped up his neck, it was clearly visible in the porch light. “I know what you meant, and you’re right. It is crowded. I’d love to have dinner with you. Maybe, if it goes well, we can spend some more time getting to know each other.”
He waited as she moved even closer, and he prayed she was going to kiss him again. Juliett’s mouth sent chills down his spine.
When she softly pressed her mouth to his, he wanted to beg her to come home with him right then and there. She’d surprisingly fell into his life, and he didn't want to let her go.
Thank God he decided to follow that Hummer and break into it. Who knew a little felonious action would get him close to a woman he could fall for?
Slowly, she pulled away, but not just her mouth. Someone had to break free, and it appeared that it wasn’t going to be him.
Juliett found that sweet too.
This man was not only sexy, protective, and a great kisser, but he filled her with something no one else ever did.
She wanted him.
“Thank you, Rhett, for a really amazing night. This was the best date I’ve ever had. I can only imagine how spectacular dinner with you will be.”
He grinned as she backed away from him.
Rhett was glad she was having a hard time leaving too.
“Sweet dreams, Juliett. I’ll see you for coffee tomorrow morning.”
He was so glad he was helping them with this case.
It was a miracle in the making.
She blew him a kiss before opening the door. Their eyes stayed connected until she was safely locked away.
Rhett let out a breath he was holding.
Now he needed to head home, clean his cabin, and take a really cold shower.
Tomorrow, he was going to put his past behind him and try to give himself a future.
Or at least that was his plan.
* * * O R A C L E * * *
He watched.
This was interesting. The sheriff was cavorting with some woman. He never saw her before, but she felt familiar.
There was something about her that tickled a part of his mind. Now he was curious.
He needed to find out more.
As he hid in the trees, watching the man and the woman on the porch, he began formulating a plan.
He needed to study, observe, and learn a little more.
Tomorrow, he’d find out who was there with her.
Deep down, he knew something was going on in that cabin. The out of state plates on the Hummer cued him in.
The woman who looked familiar made him wonder.
Now it was time to get ready.
He needed to do what he did best.
Watch…
Chapter TWELVE
When he told Avalon what he wanted to try, she seemed a little surprised. It was something they didn't do anymore because he stopped needing her in his dreams.
Yet, she had to admit that the idea of spending time alone with him, while he slept, made her…giddy. In their dream world, she could see him. The colors were vivid, bright, and she could see his handsome face.
Avalon was excited.
So, they went to bed.
It was hard to fall asleep, since he knew what would be waiting on the other side. Honestly, he loved their little dream world. He wanted to go there every night with her, but he never asked. A part of him knew that it was draining on her, and he didn't want the woman he loved to suffer.
So, he tried to forget how special their tree and dream world was. After all, it was his first gift from his fiancée. Now they were going back to have a special little rendezvous and he wanted to make it count.
He already had something else in mind.
Slowly, sleep crept up on him. He could feel himself slipping into the comforting confines of the dream. As he opened his eyes, there was the dreamscape he’d come to cherish. There was the same old tree, covered in fruit, green grassy hills speckled with flowers, and a sky so blue, it made your heart ache.
He felt safe there.
“Avalon!” he called, waiting for her to arrive. “I need you to find me!”
In the distance, gray tinged clouds rolled toward him. Nate knew they were his fears and panic. Instead of worrying that he would succumb to them, he focused on the love of his life—his fiancée.
That one word brought him so much peace. It pushed back the ominous feelings, leaving his heart light and full.
As he looked around, he heard her laughter. It was whisper soft, and then got louder.
Snow began to fall, the soft white flakes coating the flowers at his feet. It barely hid the vibrant colors of the dancing foliage surrounding him.
She was coming.
His Avalon was on the way.
When he turned, he saw her walking up the hill. Here she looked like royalty. There was a sparkle about her, and he couldn’t look away. Once more, she was wearing her customary flowy white dress, she was barefoot, and she had all that sexy blonde hair.
It caught the breath in his chest. Avalon must still ‘see’ herself with it, or she was giving him one more precious gift. While she was beautiful as a redhead, he still loved those long blonde tresses.
“Avalon,” he whispered, as she moved closer. The pale blue eyes blinded in their reality were gone, and in their place were eyes the same color as his. They shone with love for him, and that staggered Nate each and every time.
“Nathaniel.”
He opened his arms, and she went into them. The second they touched, the snow swirled around them. There was no chill, only calm.
Avalon brought him peace.
“Thank you for joining me here,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers.
She would follow him into hell and back. This was her heart. This man was her all.
“It’s my pleasure, Nathaniel. I was intrigued to see what you wanted to show me.”
“I need your help.”
Avalon cocked her head, waiting for him to continue. “You know all you have to do is ask. I’d do anything for you.”
He knew she was speaking the truth.
“I need you to show me what you want as an engagement ring. I need you to see it since it’ll forever be on your finger. I can’t buy you just any ring. It has to be THE ring.”
Her heart flipped. “Oh, Nathaniel, you’re incredibly sweet, and I’m a lucky woman to be marrying you.”
He grinned. “Show me what your heart desires, Avi. Let me see.”
She glanced down at her finger. Slowly, a ring appeared. It was square and had pretty blue stones on the sides of the diamond. “They remind me of your eyes.”
His breath caught in his chest. This smaller woman always undid him. All it took was the simplest words or a look from her.
